Staying on Course (Finding our Way 2)

I giggle and kiss his collarbone casually. He moves us easily out of the spray and turns off the water. Stepping out of the shower, he grabs a towel and rubs it up and down my back. I take the towel from him and try my best to dry his own back, staying wrapped around him.

When he lays me on his bed, I let go and shuffle under the sheets. He crawls next to me and tugs my hair out of the bun. His skin is still warm and damp as I curl into him.

“Wake me up in an hour, so we can do that again.” I yawn and feel his chest vibrate under my cheek.

“Those vaccinations really did a number on you, huh?”

“Yes, paired with the fact that I had an emotional afternoon and then incredible sex.”

“Sleep, baby.” His fingers rub lightly up and down my arm.

“Seriously, wake me up in an hour.”

He chuckles softly and links our hands together, draping them across his chest. “I love you, sweet girl.”

That’s the last thing I hear until the pounding on the front door startles us both awake. Bryce starts cussing and slides from under me, switching on the bedside lamp.

“Sorry, but I need to find something to put on,” he rumbles.

“What time is it?”

“Actually, it’s a little after eight.”

“We slept almost nine hours?”

“Seems so, and we’re going to sleep a few more after I take care of whoever’s at the door.”

The pounding starts up again as he pulls on a pair of athletic shorts.

“Who the hell visits this early?”

“No idea, but I’ll be back.” He kisses my forehead and walks out, leaving the door cracked.

I lean back into his pillow, but my eyes pop open when he yells, “What the hell?”

I scramble to his bathroom to get the pajamas I left on the counter last night. Once I have them on and my hair is in a ponytail, I rush toward the living room.

Nate is in his doorway, and he puts one finger to his lips. I join him and strain to hear what’s happening.

“This is going to be really good,” Nate whispers.

“Who’s here?”

Before he can answer, Holli’s annoying voice fills the other room.

“Aren’t you going to let me in?”

“Fuck no. Now, I’ll ask you again. What the hell are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t let you leave without talking to you.”

“About what?”

“Please let me in,” she tries again.

“What don’t you understand about fuck no? I thought it was made perfectly clear when I saw you at the bar last month that you fucking needed to get over whatever bullshit you had in your head about us. You ambushed my girlfriend at MY apartment pool, while she was alone, to spout your delusional shit about us.”

Bryce’s angry vibes fill the whole apartment. I try to go to him, but Nate grips my wrist.